NM Secretary of Health Retta Ward, 62, dies after possible medical episode causes car crash in Santa Fe, New Mexico
NM Secretary of Health Retta Ward dead after medical episode
Sheriff’s office spokesman Juan Rios said deputies responded to a single-vehicle crash on Buckman Road near N.M. 599 around 9 a.m. Thursday morning and found Ward unresponsive. Rios said attempts to revive Ward on the way to Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead.
Rios said Ward’s car left the road and stopped at a small embankment. Ward didn’t appear to have trauma from the crash and may have suffered some kind of medical episode, Rios said.
The New Mexico Department of Health says Secretary Retta Ward has died in a car crash
He recalled her as an exceptional leader who was passionate about improving the health of all New Mexicans.
He said department employees were heartbroken about the news.
Ward was tapped to lead the department by Gov. Susana Martinez in 2013. She had previously served as secretary of the state's Aging and Long-term Services Department.
Funeral services set to honor New Mexico health secretary
The Health Department says mourners and well-wishers will gather Wednesday to honor Ward and make charitable donations to the Against Malaria Foundation in her memory. The foundation pays for anti-malaria mosquito nets.
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